ANSELMIANS 59 TARLETON 0
There was some apprehension about how Saints would handle the atrocious conditions. Heavy rain, a driving wind and treacherous ground underfoot would severely hamper Anselmians fast, expansive passing game.
The talk by Director of Rugby, Jamie Kimpton and Captain, Liam Sadler, at the pre-match lunch interview was that the wintery conditions would be “a leveller” and they could be in for a tough contest against a team with relatively few points scored against them so far this season.
They need not have worried. Whilst the stormy conditions made lineout possession a bit of a lottery, Saints scrummage of Brookes and the Salisbury brothers was too tough for Tarleton to handle and dominance in this phase laid a strong platform for another magnificent forward performance.
There were numerous handling errors by both sides with the wind, rain and slippery balls to blame. But even when Saints conceded knock-on scrums, more often than not they were able to regain possession or, at least, put Tarleton’s link between scrum and half back under great pressure.
Saints piled on a total of 9 tries including a hat-trick by my man of the match, James Otutaha, and a brace by James Whitehouse. Seven were converted by marksman, No.10 Dai Morley.
It is a credit to both teams that, despite the appalling conditions, there were very few penalties and, unusually, not one penalty attempt at goal.
So, Anselmians progress towards the league title took another great step forward. Next week, Saints travel to Salford to tackle De La Salle, the only team still to play in the first half of the season. A win there will give Coach, Derek Salisbury, confidence that Saints can complete a double over every team in the second round of matches starting with the home match v Bolton on 18th December.
Anselmians
15 Andrew Cummings
14 Ewan Nolan
13 Thomas Banks
12 Ransford Otutaha
11 Adam Bramhall
10 David Morley
9 Liam Sadler
1 Stephen Brooks
2 Daniel Salisbury
3 Derek Salisbury
4 Niall Cavanagh
5 Jack Richards
6 Paul Sherlock
7 Thomas Gilbert
8 William Grabe
Anselmians Subs
S1 Craig Jones
S2 James Whitehouse
S3 Fred Clark
Tarleton
15 Daniel Mallinson
14 Matthew Bradley
13 Matthew Forrest
12 Fraser Grieves
11 Luke Taylorson
10 Samuel Mallinson
9 Ben Walton
1 William Parker
2 Rob Williamson
3 Craig Whalley-Hunter
4 Hugo Castle
5 Ben Cromack
6 Joseph Bullen
7 Robert Abram
8 Elliot Burton
Tarleton Subs
S1 Dominic Aspinall
S2 jack nolan
S3 Bevan Taylor
Anselmians 1st XV’s next game is away to De La Salle (Salford) on Saturday 11 December 2021 for a 2.15pm kick-off.
Image credit: Derek Salisbury Snr
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